Lapping mechanism



R. S. SIVIITH ANU T. HANSEN.V

LAPPIN@ MCHANISIL APPLICATION FILED IULY26. 1"'20.

' Patented May 30,1922.

which the bar is UNITED STATES imiiaiwrA orifice.

LAPPING il;JacHAjisIsiir. ,i n' n i fr., z

Appiiclation ined July 26,4920. serial No. 399,214.

T 0 all whom t may conce/ml Be it known that we, REUBEN STANIEY SMITH and THoRvALnv HANSEN, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Milwaukee,

tain new and useful Improvements in Lap# ing Mechanism (Case N o. 114) and we do geclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, such as will en-v able persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains to make and use the same,` reference being had to the accompanying drawingsfor an illustration of one form'of construction in which our invention has-been embodied.

The invention relatesfto lapping presses.

In the manufacture f automobile frames, the principal frame elements are constituted of side and cross bars, which `are drawn from blanks punched or cut from sheet metal plates or strips. yIn they formation of such bars, the side margins of the blank from to each other, and at a right angle to the central plane or web of the blank, soas to produce a reinforced bar whichy is channeled in cross section, Certain longitudinally pro-- jecting end portions of the flanges of the channeled cross bar, which extendbeyond the limits deiiing the body portion of the bar, are adapted toy be turned or bent into angular positions with respectto the flanges types of construction. 4

The purpose in turning or bending' such of the bar, or the web of the bar as iny some projecting'end portions is' 'to' create a means' whereby the side bars and cross bars entering into the construction of an automobile frame,

may be conveniently connected together, to-

permanent, unitary and rigid produce a The union of structure.

through perforations in the turned or bent projecting portions, which form ears or laps on the ends of the cross bars, and registering perforationsin the side bars at the'portions l against'which such-turned end portions'or ears abut. The operation of bending the end portions of the cross bars so as to form these fastening ears, is known in this art as lapping j in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, 4have invented cer tandem with respect to each produced, areturnedninto flanges which stand approximately'parallel these parts is usually eifectedgby means of rivets passing l Specification of Letters Patent. ":Patfed lay 304 The ears or lapsvreferre'd tov asibeing"v ,y

formed outof the cross bars, may be toward 'each other, or

-projecting ends of the 455 folded solas to.' extend into the channel of thel` cross bar, the ears in such positions standing@ 1n a plane which crosses the longitudinal axis of the said bar. Also, the fastening ears or'laps, formed at the end of the flanges of the cross bar, may be bent so asto stand such ears in this v arrangement extending into the channel of the cross bar, and the other, one of other extending outwardly lfrom* the bar,

Abut both ylying in the same plane.v 'Again :the ears may extend in directions Which'are 'y 'opposite toeach other, or whichradiate from n the axis ofthe lcross bar. .It will be under? stood that 1 the formation respect to the cross bar, which theystand, lor the they lie,will be dependent upon the particular type of automobile frame under construction, and that the arrangement ofthe ears" with respect to the cross bar maybe changed, as desired, to meet whatever may vbe"'the needs of such particular construction.I In certain other instances, the projecting end portions'of the cross bar may be `vfolded back of the ears with. andthe angle at', direction in which and lapped aga-instt the flanges ofwhich'they are a part, lso as to constitutea reinforcement of the'cross bar-at such points." Y The; present 'invention 'embodies mechanism for turning or bending thel projecting end portions' of thefianges of acrossbar. from the vertical, parallel planes whichlthey assume in the drawing operation, into others,

turned while the cioss bar is still clam ed7 between the dies of the drawing press. ur present iiivention,.however, is intended for use'independetly of and 'apart from a draw? ing press, and'when so used the cross bar will be 'presented thereto and' clamped and firmly held in position during the operation of the lapping mechanism. Thenovel vet Which ordinarily will ,be o therefrom, S040" l clamping mechanism which we employ, confaces of the i operation.

sists of a central'filler block which enters ythe channel ofthe cross bar and fills the s ace therein, and side members which are pted to bear with a wedging action upon the faces of the flanges and clamp such flanges against the said filler block. The lapping mechanism is composed of reciprocating slide bar, provi able die member` having acting faces which are adapted to engage the projectingy ends of the cross bar, and turn or the desired angular positions with relation to the cross'bar. lbar moves back and forth in a path into which the projecting ends of th'e flanges of the cross bar extend.` The faces of the die members, by reason of their engagement with the sides ofthe said projecting end portions, act to bend or flatten the said projecting portions against the central'blo'ck inthe channel of the bar, so that ythe ears thus vformed extend toward each other an into the channel of the cross bar. lVhen the projecting ends of the flanges of the cross bar vare to be turned in directions extending away from the bar,

serve to turn such projecting ends about the clamping members. Also, the said projectingends may be turned so as tandem. In this last described operation the ear 'formed from one Side flange will extend into the channelv ofthe cross bar, and the ear formed from the other side Hange will extend away from the cross bar. To effect theser different results, our invention, it is necessary only toA provide the' reciprocating slide ybai' with suitably arranged die faces. rPhe clamping mechanism serves tovhold the side flanges of the, cross bar against displacement during the lapping The faces of the co-operating members areflush with each as to present aplane-faced anvil clamping other, so

against which the projecting endportions of the flanges may be turned or bent, in the reciprocations of the slide bar,by the acting faces of the lapping dies wiping against and over the said projecting ends, to flatten the ears against the anvil formed by said ears are squeezedby the pressure ofthe lapping dies thereon. v

The novel features of our invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying' drawings:

Figure V1 is a side view in elevation, andA partly in section on the line 11, Fig. 2, showing a -constmlction embodying our improved lapping mechanism. and means for actuating the dies thereof. j

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view thereof,on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, showing the parts somewhat enlarged, and showing also the forni of lapping dies used to bend they proded with a suit bend them into The reciprocating slidethe lapping die willy to stand in the operationofl- ,recess constitute the aligned clamping members, when the.

the projecting ends of langes'of the cross bar jecting ends of the and flatten such. ends toward each other,

against the filler block of the clamp.

Fig. 3 is a corresponding vertical sectional view on the line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, showing in plan the form of lapping dies used to bend the projecting ends away from each other.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one end of a cross bar, showing the ears or laps as turned across the channel of the bar.

Fig. 6 is a similar View of one end of a cross bar with the saidears or laps turned in opposite direction and Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4, and

away yfrom the bar.

showing the configuration of the'k lapping dies used relation.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one end of a cross bar, showing the tandem arrangement forturning the ears into tandemy of the ears produced by the lapping dies shown in Fig. Referring to the drawings, the basev of the machine is indicated 10. lFrom the base yrises a standard 11, which supportsjthe means for clamping the cross bar 12, so that the vprojecting portions 13 thereof, may be properly turned or bent into an angular position with reference to the cross bar, so as to form fastening ears thereon.

Fig. 2 illustrates in plan view a construction of lapping die 14, designed to turn or bend kthe projectingends of ,into the ychannel thereof. is cut away at one side to-form a recess l5, into which the projecting ends of the cross bar extend. The end walls 16 of the acting faces of the lap` ping die 14, and a movement in one direction, will turn or bend and fiatthe cross bar The said `die 14" the said of the die 14 ten one of the projecting ears, while aref verse movement of the said lapping act similarly upon the other ear.l

The cross bar 12 is'passed"fthrough an opening 17 in the standard 11. o clamping head 18 is guided f'oirvertica-l movement on the face of the standard 11, and carries an diawiii v, interchangeable filler block 19, which isidesigned to be passed into the channel `of the` cross bar. y The base vis provided with a clamping member 20, co-operating with the clamping head 18, the said clamping member being-cut out at its central portion so as to rovide a widened space Q2, through which the flanges vof ther` cross barmay be passed. The said clamping member has inclined portions 23. at the op posite ends of the space 22, against which movable wedges Q4, carried by the clamping head, operate. The wedges 24, are loosely supported in an undercut seat 30. in the clamping head 18 as shown in Fig. 3. When theJ clamping head 18 is depressed to insert the filler block'l) in the channel of the cross bar, the movement of the head 18 engages the wedges 24 With the inclined portions 23 of the clamping member 20, with the result that the side flanges of the cross bar are tightly held as in a fixed position. Movement of the lapping die 14 now taking place, the'projecting ends 13 of the cross bar, will be turned and flattened, as previously described. The said lapping die 14, is actuated by means of a link 25, having rconnection with a crank 26, actuated by any suitable driving mechanism. Fig. 1 shows the crank and its connected parts intheir neutral position of rest. A complete rotation of the said crank effects the formation of both ears upon the cross bar.

Fig. 4 shows the configuration of the lapping die which is used to spread the projecting ends of the flanges of the cross bar, that is, to turn-them in opposite directions and away from the longitudinal center line of the cross bar. In this ligure, the lapping bar 140 is cut away at each side so as to present a lapping die 141, provided with inclined faces 142. In the neutral position of the crank 26, the part 141 is at rest between the projecting ends of the flanges ofthe cross bar, y

and in line with the channel therein. A complete rotation of' the crank will act to spread first one of the projecting ends of the cross bar` and then the other.

Fig. 7 shows the configuration of the lapping die which is used to turn the projecting ends of' the flanges of the cross bar 12, so as to form fastening ears which stand tandem to each other. ping bar 144 is cut away so as to present projections'145, each having inclined die vfaces 146, adapted to bear upony the corresponding sides of the projecting ends of' the flanges at the end of the cross bar, and turn the said flanges into the same plane, in a single movement of the lapping bar 144, in one direc-l tion.

The lapping bar in each of the constructions illustrated, is held up to its work by means of a grooved guide 27, formed upon the base 10. The said guide resists the tendency of the lapping bar to depart from its true line of movement, and the parallel faces of the die portions of the bar are caused to wipe over the turned or folded projections at the ends ofthe cross bar, and squeeze and -flatten the ears thus formed against the clamping members, to set the fastening ears in the desired angular positions with relation to the cross bar upon which they are formed.

One end of the cross bar will be placed in the lapping mechanism for operation thereon of the lapping dies in the manner hereinbefore described. The cross bar will then be reversed. and its other end subjected to operation by the lapping dies. The feeding of the cross bars to the lapping mechanism for one operation. and their reversal for the sec.-

v'ing ends of a flanged cross bar,

-upon the ing ends ofa flanged he edge of the lap.

Modifications of the structural may be made Without departing from the l spirit of our invention.

Having thus described ourinvention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters latent of the United States, is:

1. A mechanism for` bending the projectcomprising means for clamping the bar at the bending line, and means operating upon the said projecting ends to turn the latter bending line and 'into angular positions with elation to vthe longitudinal axis of the cross 2. A mechanism for bending the project-` ing ends of' a flanged cross bar, comprising means for clamping the cross bar at the bending line, and means acting in succession said projecting ends to turn the latter about the bending line of each'projecting end and into an angular position withrelation'to the longitudinal axis of the cross bar. l i

3. A mechanism for `bending the projectcross bar. comprising means for clamping thecross bar. and a reciprocating slide provided withy lapping dies adapted to bend the said projecting ends 1nto angular positions with relation to the longitudinal axis of the cross bar.

4. A mechanism for ben'dingthe projectmgends of a flanged cross bar` comprisinga lapping die memberhaving a pluralitv of' acting surfaces. each adapted to bend one of the'said projecting ends into an angulaiposltion with relation to the longitudinal axis of the cross bar, and means for actuating thel said lapping die member.

5. A mechanism for bending the projecting ends of a' flanged cross bar` clamping means composed of a block to fill the channel of the bar and members bearing against the flanges'of the bar, vmeans for exertlng pressure upon said members to hold the cross bar. and means for bending the said projecting ends into angular positions with relation to the longitudinal'axis of thecross bar. Y 1

6. A mechanism for bending the projectinef ends of a flanged cross barclamping means composed of a filler block for insertion in the channel of the bar and 'Wedging members exerting pressure upon th`e side flanges of the bar. and means for bending the said projecting ends into angular positions with relation to the longitudinal. axis of the cross bar.

T. A mechanism for bending the projecting ends of flanged cross bars, comprising a frame. a clamping head thereon and provided with means for clamping theflanges of' the cross bar at the bending line. and means for bending the said project-ing ends comprising 1 about saidv into angular positions with relation to the longitudinal axis of the cross bar.

8. A uneclianism for bending the projectjing ends of flanged cross bars, a frame, a movable clamping head provided with means to fill the channel of the cross bar and supporting also movable members bearing against the side flanges of the bar, means upon the frame co-acting with the said movable members to clamp the cross bar at the bending line, and means for bending the said projecting ends into angular positions with relation to the longitudinal axis of the cross bar.

9. A mechanism for bending-the project- 4ing ends of flanged cross bars,A comprising means for clamping the cross bar at the bending line, and reciprocatingr devices provided with lapping dies adapted to turn the said Vprojecting ends and flatten them against the clamping means.

10f A mechanism for bending the projecting ends of flanged cross bars, comprising means for clamping the cross bar at the bending line, a lapping bar cut away at one side to provide a plurality of acting lapping die surfaces, each of which. is adapted to bend one of the said projecting ends into an angular position with relation to the longitudinal axis of' the cross bar, and means'for actuating the lapping bar.

11. A mechanism for bending the projecting ends of flanged cross bars, comprising a frame, a lapping bar for bending the said projecting ends into angular positions with respect to the cross bar, a clamp for holding the cross bar with itsends projecting\into the path of movement of' the lapping bar', a fixed guide for the said lapping bar, and means for actuating the said lapping bar to first turn'the said projecting ends and then flatten them against the clamp.

12. A mechanism for bending the projecting ends of flanged cross bars, comprising a frame and means thereon for holding the cross bar, a reciprocating lapping member having a plurality of acting die faces, each of which is adapted in succession to bend one of the said projecting ends into a position of angularity with respect to cross bar,

lchannel of the bar,

- to press the and means for actuating the lapping mem-- ber. Y

13. A mechanism for bending the projecting ends of flanged cross bars, comprising meansv for clamping the cross bar at the bending line, said means including a engaging the inside surfaces of the flanges of the bar and pressure devices engaging the outer surfaces of the. said flanges in line with the filler block, and means for bending the said ends into angular positions with.

respect to the cross bar.

14. A mechanism f'or bending the project ing ends of flanged cross' bars, comprising clamping means including devices for filling the channel of the cross bar and for engagfiller block for ing the outer surfaces of the flanges at the bending line, and means for bending the said ends into angular 4positions with respect to the cross bar and squeezing them against the said clamping devices.

15. Clamping means for holding the flangesV of' a" channeled cross bar in position for a bending operation, said means comprising a block adapted to fill the channel of and engage the inner faces of the flanges, and wedging members adapted to bear against the outer faces of the said flanges to press such flanges against the filler block.

the bar 16. Clamping means for holding the flanges y of a channeled cross bar in position for a R. STANLEY SMITH. THORV. HANSEN.

Witnesses:

WV. F WooLARD, ELrzABETH MURRAY.

bending operation, said means comprising a 

